Children are constantly growing, learning, making mistakes and they need help to find their way. But that doesn’t mean that parents have everything figured out. It’s ok to ask questions and seek assistance, especially during times when you most need it.
When Your Life Becomes Extremely Busy
Sometimes life takes us by storm. All of a sudden, we have way more on our plates than we anticipated, and it can be a tough balancing act trying to keep it all together. Don’t hesitate to ask your family or friends to pitch in: they can babysit your younger children or offer rides to your teen to get them to soccer practice. You might also consider hiring someone to help out with the household chores. That way, you can enjoy a little downtime once in awhile. Even if you think you’ve got everything under control, asking for help is an excellent way to prevent burnout.
When Your Child is Struggling With a Mental Illness
If your child suffers from addiction, depression, anxiety, an eating disorder or any other mental health condition, asking for assistance is not only helpful for you, but helpful for your child as well. Talking to a mental health professional about what treatment options to seek and how you can parent your child during this time will enable you to support your child in the best possible way.
When Your Mental Health is Suffering
If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s important to ask for help. It might be tempting to focus solely on the needs of your family, but what they really need is for you to be well too. Asking for help can be scary, but try talking to a close relative or friend who can support you as you seek professional assistance. Remember that even as a parent, you are not alone.
As a parent, you may feel that you need to keep your problems to yourself so that you don’t burden your family. However, by asking for help once in awhile, you’ll be able to relax and recharge, ready to handle the next challenge when it comes. Even more, you’ll show your children that it’s ok to ask for help when you most need it.
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